Unsafe at Any Altitude: Exposing the Illusion of Aviation Security [Paperback]

Susan B. Trento (Author), Joseph J. Trento (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 2007

This groundbreaking work of investigative journalism goes behind the scenes at our nation’s airports and penetrates the government to paint a picture of a Transportation Security Administration that is remarkably inept, and reveals the great lengths that U.S. air carriers and their lobbyists have gone in order to make certain that serious airline security has not been instituted in this country. The authors also tell the secret histories of security failures along a continuum that led directly to 9/11: the hijackings of passenger jets to Cuba decades ago, Iran—Contra, Hezbollah’s bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, its hijacking of TWA Flight 847, and the Pan Am Flight 103 Lockerbie tragedy. These dramatic, riveting stories expose lessons from our nation’s history that we still fail to heed. Unsafe at Any Altitude also tells the breathtaking story of the Bush Administration’s efforts to limit the political fallout from 9/11 by scapegoating others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An important book . . . highlights a number of glaring holes in aviation security that were supposed to have been plugged after the 9/11 attacks and the creation of the Transportation Security Administration.”
– U.S. News & World Report

“[A] persuasive argument of a book.”
– The Los Angeles Times

“Takes readers behind the scenes at big-city airports and inside what [the authors] term ‘the remarkably inept’ Transportation Security Administration.”
– The Boston Herald

About the Author

Susan B.Trento and Joseph J. Trento are investigative journalists who have authored or co-authored numerous books on the secret workings of the government. Their many credits include Prescription for Disaster, a history of NASA leading up to the Challenger disaster; Widows, a history of counterintelligence; Power House, about the lobbying and public relations industries in Washington; The Secret History of the CIA; and Prelude to Terror.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Steerforth; 1 edition (June 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586421360
• ISBN-13: 978-1586421366
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,857,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Aviation > Airport

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an important book to read, October 9, 2006

By 

L. Seem - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unsafe at any Altitude: Failed Terrorism Investigations, Scapegoating 9/11, and the Shocking Truth about Aviation Security Today (Hardcover)

I saw the advance publicity for the "60 Minutes" report last night and

went out to get a copy of "Unsafe at any Altitude," the book the report was based on. Not only did this book's authors, Susan

and Joseph Trento, obtain the copy of the no-fly list that "60 Minutes"

used as the basis of its report, but that list is only one of many interesting revelations as this book explores how flawed

our aviation security system is.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A professional analysis, March 8, 2007

By 

Hillel Avihai "Synergic consulating" (Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unsafe at any Altitude: Failed Terrorism Investigations, Scapegoating 9/11, and the Shocking Truth about Aviation Security Today (Hardcover)

This book offers a professional analysis and it brings the aviation terrorism phenomenon into the front of the stage, by highlighting some evidence regarding some of the major aviation terrorism incidents of the pase decades. As an academic researcher of aviation terrorism, this book certainly may be useful for those who are interestd in the 'story behaind the story'.

Dr. Hillel Avihai

14 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Billions wasted to look good, December 2, 2006

By 

andris virsnieks (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unsafe at any Altitude: Failed Terrorism Investigations, Scapegoating 9/11, and the Shocking Truth about Aviation Security Today (Hardcover)

It costs a lot for responsible government officials to play the game: Don't blame me don't blame you -- blame that fellow behind the tree. The author's tell you how that game was played in respose to 9/11. And because this billion dollar game was played with the screeners at airports, the extra billions of dollars spent are not providing any more safety than before 9/11. But the mind set of the post 9/11 air traveling public must make us safer. The passengers now know if they fight for the control of the plane there is a chance for life -- if they don't fight death is certain.